Authorities discovered the snakes while investigating whether Richard Parrinello was working while on disability leave from his civic job.

Parrinello, who has worked intermittently as an animal control officer in Brookhaven, was caught on camera claiming he had $500,000 in "inventory" during the course of the fraud investigation.

His inventory included snakes, tarantulas, turtles and turtle eggs in a two-car garage he'd converted into habitat. Authorities also discovered three small frozen alligator carcasses.

"I personally have never seen this many reptiles in one area," said chief of the Suffolk Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Roy Gross.

The pythons will be moved to a sanctuary in Massachusetts, and its unclear what will happen to the remaining reptiles.

Parrinello was issued two violations by the state's Department of Environmental Conservation, which carry fines of $250 each. He also faces multiple charges of owning the pythons and running a business at his home without a permit.

United Press International is a leading provider of news, photos and information to millions of readers around the globe via UPI.com and its licensing services.

With a history of reliable reporting dating back to 1907, today's UPI is a credible source for the most important stories of the day, continually updated - a one-stop site for U.S. and world news, as well as entertainment, trends, science, health and stunning photography. UPI also provides insightful reports on key topics of geopolitical importance, including energy and security.

A Spanish version of the site reaches millions of readers in Latin America and beyond.

UPI was founded in 1907 by E.W. Scripps as the United Press (UP). It became known as UPI after a merger with the International News Service in 1958, which was founded in 1909 by William Randolph Hearst. Today, UPI is owned by News World Communications.